Raiders want NFL to arbitrate cheerleader pay suit

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders say a lawsuit filed by the team's cheerleaders who claim they are being cheated out of wages and expenses should be handled by league arbitration, not in a courtroom.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the team wants NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to handle arbitrating the lawsuit filed by the Raiderette cheerleaders.

The cheerleaders are paid $125 per home game, or $1,250 per season, in a contract that includes hours of unpaid rehearsals, charity and commercial appearances.

The women say the pay translates to less than $5 an hour -- California's minimum wage is $8 an hour.

Leslie Levy, an attorney for the Raiderettes, says league arbitration presents a conflict of interest because the commissioner is paid by the Raiders and other NFL teams.